Painted ladies Monument

Address: Alamo Square Park, Steiner St & Hayes St, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA

Admission: Free (public street houses)

The Painted Ladies commonly refers to a row of late 19th-century Victorian and Edwardian houses on Steiner Street facing Alamo Square Park in San Francisco, California. They are an iconic example of restored colorful period architecture in the city.

The most photographed grouping comprises several adjacent houses that are finished in multiple colors and set opposite the grassy slope of Alamo Square Park; the downtown skyline often appears in photographs behind the houses. The park provides seating, viewpoints and easy pedestrian access to view the facades.

These houses were constructed in the late 1800s and later repainted and restored in the 20th century to highlight their architectural details. They are representative of San Francisco’s Victorian-era residential building traditions and the city’s later historic-preservation efforts.

Situated on Steiner Street at Alamo Square in central San Francisco, the Painted Ladies are within the city’s Western Addition neighborhood and a short distance from the civic center and Hayes Valley.

• Best vantage point: Best views are from Alamo Square Park across the street, where the row of painted Victorian houses is framed against the downtown skyline.

Alamo Square is in central San Francisco. From Market Street, take the 22 Fillmore or 5R Fulton & 5R buses to the Hayes/Steiner stop; the park is a short walk from the Castro or Civic Center neighborhoods. Metered street parking is limited; public transit or rideshare is recommended.

• Alamo Square is best visited just before sunset for the classic postcard shot of the row with the San Francisco skyline behind it.
• Stand on the western sidewalk of Alamo Square Park for the canonical composition - many visitors learn the ritual and repeat it.
• Walk past the main row toward Hayes Valley to see other restored Victorians and the different neighborhood rhythm.